- Timeline: The death of Yongzheng, the early days of Qianlong's accession to the throne, and the third year after Zhen Huan became the Queen Mother.
- Protagonist: Zhen Huan, who now holds power but is "alone in a high place", needs to balance the three relationships between the court (Qianlong's trial of imperial power), the harem (the struggle between new concubines), and the old department (Jin tide and Su Peisheng's hidden worries).
- Core conflict: Qianlong wants to get rid of the "restraint of the Queen Mother" and secretly supports new forces; Zhen Huan not only wants to protect her family and her own honor, but also has to face the "remaining debts" left by her past machinations (if the remnant forces of the prince's old tribe and Qi Guiren's mother's family).
